nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 5:23:52 GMT -8
...my friends thought I was crazy. But, it will be around for 50 more years so my Daughter and 2 Granddaughters can use it when I am done with it. It will never be sold and will be in the my trust. Even if I am kidnapped and I tell my daughter to sale it for ransom. Her response would be "Sorry Dad you told me not to sell it". This truly was a labor of love for me and my wife and my Family. Wow, you covered some ground. You hit it on the head, it's a labor of love. Crazy, illogical, fiscally irresponsible, no way to defend it, labor of love. My wife is really happy I found something fun that I enjoy. She loves camping in a vintage camper, but I tell her camping is sort of a side benefit of owning it for me. The thrill of the hunt, the challenge of the work and the pride in making something better weigh heavily on my desire to go vintage.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 5:29:13 GMT -8
I love it! It's mine's twin except it looks better on the outside! You did well!!! I'm very happy for you! I was surprised how small the compact is but I love it. I can pick up the hitch and roll it around. My 13' 1962 Forester needs two (big) men to lift the hitch but you can forget about moving it by hand. Do you have a photobucket with pictures of your Compact?
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 10, 2014 5:31:48 GMT -8
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 5:45:49 GMT -8
Wonderful! So happy for you, nccamper.... Poke around a little at the skirt boards to make sure they are in reasonably firm condition. Also be sure that you have the correct equipment to tow the trailer at the right height. These little guys like to drag the back over bumps and into driveways... The wood overall is weathered but not rotten. I poked around with a key and found a one foot section of soft wood by the skirt. I wonder about the wood under the window. At some point the owner caught the back and crimped the skin. I may follow Mobiltec's advice and replace the back skin. This may be more of a repair thread question, but does it matter that the back wall (which has a few nails attaching the panel to the seat) has pulled loose? The nails seem to be through only the panel and not the wood supports for the wall so I think it shouldn't matter much while we tow it home. Along the floor is tight. Any thoughts on this?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 5:53:06 GMT -8
Thanks for the photos. It is a twin for sure. Have you painted it yet? What is this slot behind the stove? I didn't have time to pock around and figure it out. Did you camper have one?
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Post by bigbill on Apr 10, 2014 6:10:49 GMT -8
Wonderful! So happy for you, nccamper.... To make the trip, inspect the frame and springs and brackets closely. Poke around a little at the skirt boards to make sure they are in reasonably firm condition. Also be sure that you have the correct equipment to tow the trailer at the right height. These little guys like to drag the back over bumps and into driveways... Lots of pictures or else. The above is excellent advise. I would also suggest checking each of the windows to make sure all glass is secure ( no broken edges on alum to let glass vibrate out going down the road) Also even though this is a lighter trailer it has no brakes so make sure your tow vehicle can safely handle stopping it and controlling it on a steep down hill. I don't know how much towing experience you have so be careful and have a great experience with your wonderful find. Also Make sure you have strong safety chains and a lock or pin to retain the coupler latch. Take lots of pictures on your trip home and share with us.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 10, 2014 6:14:38 GMT -8
I think that is a vent for the stove.
No, I haven't painted mine. Have all the skins off. Hope to have them back on by this weekend.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 6:28:51 GMT -8
The above is excellent advise. I would also suggest checking each of the windows to make sure all glass is secure ( no broken edges on alum to let glass vibrate out going down the road) Also even though this is a lighter trailer it has no brakes so make sure your tow vehicle can safely handle stopping it and controlling it on a steep down hill. I don't know how much towing experience you have so be careful and have a great experience with your wonderful find. Also Make sure you have strong safety chains and a lock or pin to retain the coupler latch. Take lots of pictures on your trip home and share with us. Thanks for the advice. Our Forester has electric brakes which help a lot. I wonder if such a light camper will jump around a little more? I'll move slowly while I get the hang of it.
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yas
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'63 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by yas on Apr 10, 2014 6:56:55 GMT -8
NCCamper:
Nice Compact! Have fun. Holler when you're going to wander around the southwest with it, especially if you come south into northern New Mexico. We're starting a home for wayward trailers :-)
And znorm, I've heard your story before. We met in Joshua Tree NP at Christmas - unless there is someone else who tells that same story!
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Apr 10, 2014 7:01:05 GMT -8
Thanks for the photos. It is a twin for sure. Have you painted it yet? What is this slot behind the stove? I didn't have time to pock around and figure it out. Did you camper have one? That would be the oven vent. There is an actual hole cut through the rear of the oven, covered by a couple of baffle plates, which direct the heat upward, and then it vents to the outside through the hood. Some that I have seen do not have the countertop with the slot, but rather a grate assembly to cover the opening behind the stove. That stovetop looks clean as a whistle...Nice!
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 10, 2014 7:13:25 GMT -8
NC, where was your Compact made? There should be a badge on the outside left of the door.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 7:16:32 GMT -8
That would be the oven vent. There is an actual hole cut through the rear of the oven, covered by a couple of baffle plates, which direct the heat upward, and then it vents to the outside through the hood. Some that I have seen do not have the countertop with the slot, but rather a grate assembly to cover the opening behind the stove. That stovetop looks clean as a whistle...Nice! Makes sense. There is no range hood vent on this camper. Odd. . Maybe the heat vents out the ceiling vent?
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 10, 2014 7:17:40 GMT -8
Yes, the Hehr ceiling vent is THE vent. I'm replacing mine with a fantastic fan.
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Post by vikx on Apr 10, 2014 9:26:52 GMT -8
I'm a little concerned about the back end. As I said, ratchet straps (light weight are fine, long ones) up and over may be a good insurance. You'd have to wrap the metal parts and be sure they wouldn't rub the trailer.
A good way to tell how sturdy it is: shake the trailer with someone inside. Does everything move? A lot? Is debris falling out the back? I'm guessing that wall and framing have considerable rot, so a temporary board or two might strengthen things.
Poke something thru the panel and see if you can find any good cross boards. This would be close to the old nails. Screwing a one by board on the inside will give support. You'll need short screws to keep from going thru the skin. (Wally sells 1 1/2" dry wall screws) If possible, attach the same board to the dinette bench framing.
Don't forget the duct tape!!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 10, 2014 10:43:39 GMT -8
I'm a little concerned about the back end. As I said, ratchet straps (light weight are fine, long ones) up and over may be a good insurance. You'd have to wrap the metal parts and be sure they wouldn't rub the trailer. A good way to tell how sturdy it is: shake the trailer with someone inside. Does everything move? A lot? Is debris falling out the back? I'm guessing that wall and framing have considerable rot, so a temporary board or two might strengthen things. Poke something thru the panel and see if you can find any good cross boards. This would be close to the old nails. Screwing a one by board on the inside will give support. You'll need short screws to keep from going thru the skin. (Wally sells 1 1/2" dry wall screws) If possible, attach the same board to the dinette bench framing. Don't forget the duct tape!! Good advice. I'll check the wall carefully before leaving town. I did rock the camper and nothing moved in a clear worrisome way. I also pressed at the back wall with some force (not too hard) and there was not a lot of give. The board across the bottom (Skirt, outside on the ground looking up) is solid and looks original. I may unscrew the jrail and take a look up in the back wall before towing far. I like the idea of a temp support board just to be safe. I'm leaving 4 days in a campground a few miles down the road for "exploration" and repairs. I'm sure the campground will love having me there.
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